Soldiers arrest Taraba hunters’ head for selling AK-47 to terrorists
The Nigerian Army said troops arrested the chairman of the Gassol Local Government Area Hunters’ Association in Taraba State, Adamu Tanko, for selling an AK-47 rifle to a suspected terrorist.
The army said investigations revealed that the rifle Tanko sold had been recovered during an operation against terrorists in Plateau State.
This was contained in a statement by the Nigerian Army on X on Sunday.
The post read, “In a separate operation in Taraba State, troops acting on credible intelligence arrested the chairman of the Gassol Local Government Area Hunters’ Association, Alhaji Adamu Tanko, for selling an AK-47 rifle to a suspected terrorist.
“The investigation revealed that the weapon had been recovered during a joint operation against terrorists in Boki Lamba, a border town with Plateau State.”
Also, the troops deployed for counterterrorism operations in Borno State have killed Abu Rijab, a terrorist commander on their wanted list.
Rijab and his fighters were killed during an offensive operation conducted against their enclave in Bula Daloye, in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The army stated that the operation led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and mobile phones, adding that eight terrorists and their families surrendered to troops in Gwoza LGA.
The post stated, “In a series of coordinated operations across the country, troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully neutralized a notorious Boko Haram commander along with other terrorist fighters. In addition, numerous terrorists and their families have surrendered to the troops as a result of sustained pressure against their operations. Troops have also apprehended several criminal suspects and recovered arms and ammunition.
“On August 17, 2024, the troops launched an offensive operation against a terrorist enclave in Bula Daloye, in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. Following an intense firefight, the troops overpowered the terrorists, neutralizing three, including a wanted Boko Haram commander Abu Rijab.
“The operation led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and mobile phones. Additionally, eight terrorists and their families surrendered to troops in Gwoza Local Government Area. The same troops also apprehended two suspects in Konduga Local Government Area with 52 bags of illicit drugs intended for supply to terrorists.”
Also, the army said troops arrested two suspects in Plateau State and recovered weapons from them.
“Similarly, troops deployed in Plateau State responded to distress calls regarding suspicious movements by criminal elements in the Rikkos area of Jos North Local Government Area. Troops arrested two criminal suspects and recovered a fabricated rifle and mobile phones containing images of various calibres of arms and ammunition,” the post added.